A $6.5 million federal grant will pay for demolition and soil remediation that is expected to pave the way for redevelopment on several city blocks. Demolition could begin early in 2013.

Bing says the demolition could take up to a year. It'll free up 18 acres.

"Once this is demolished, I've already had some recommendations from developers who want to come here and have some different kinds of ideas on what ought to happen," Bing said. "They're starting to line up and I think that's very, very healthy."

Known to most Detroiters as the Brewster projects, the decades-old complex has been vacant since the last families were relocated in 2008 due to safety concerns. It consists of brick condo-like units, six-story buildings and four 14-story towers.